A story on the web site “The Street” noted research concerning sales of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 video game as falling far short of last years sales one month after its introduction. In fact the figures show a 68 percent decline for the Electronic Arts (NASDQ: ERTS) game compared to 2009 June sales when the Woods game was one of the hottest and most sought after releases.
EA says the poor sales are due to the economic slowdown and that Woods has only returned to the links this past spring plus he has not been a contender, much less a winner, since coming back.
EA did not fire Woods after the revelations of numerous extramarital affairs beginning in November 2009 as did other corporations including AT&T, Gillette, Gatorade and Accenture. Woods’ largest sponsor before and after his self-imposed hiatus from competition remains Nike who pays him an estimated $30 million per year and have built their golf marketing effort around him and the TW brand.
Nike chairman Phil Knight has made comments to the effect not only will Nike stand by Woods through the scandal but overall it is of little consequence to his career. Industry sources have guessed that prior to the onset of his personal problems Woods had an annual income of $100 million from endorsements and prize money.
If indeed Woods does not return at least part of the way back to his former status as paragon and star product endorser even those corporations that have continued their relationship will have to reassess all that money they pay him.
About Ed Travis
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